The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's combined evaluation of 80 percent from August 31, 2016 met the schedular TDIU criteria but found that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as he had held full-time employment until May 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Diabetes Mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia and inactive duodenal ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer, Hypothyroidism with dry skin of the lower extremities, Tinnitus, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity associated with diabetes mellitus type 2 with erectile dysfunction, Right corneal opacity/nebula
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2024
- Citation
- 24016517
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 24016517.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
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